Best Built Plans

Materials Handling Resources

CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training’s Best Built Plans: Build Safety Into Every Job program provides contractors and workers with practical tools and information to plan for safe materials handling while staying productive and profitable.

The Contractor Planning Tool includes resources to help a contractor plan for safely storing, lifting and moving materials, as well as materials to help implement the plan at each project stage. The interactive Training & Coaching sections and the Lift Coach game series are intended to be used with and by workers to reinforce safe practices.

The program features:

-Downloadable spreadsheets, checklists, training resources and useful links to put into use where you work. Please note: If you do not have a pre-installed app on your device that lets you view Microsoft documents and spreadsheets, you may need to download the Microsoft Word and Excel apps.

-A highly interactive training section that gives the user a chance to practice what they are learning.

-Attractive 3D graphics and animations

The Site Planning portion of the tool includes questions to consider and resources to help plan for safe materials handling throughout a project’s lifecycle – from preparing the bid through completing the project. It includes information on the benefits of engaging in safe practices, Excel spreadsheets, checklists, and on-site training materials to use during a construction project. The Interactive Training and Coaching sections can be used in a classroom setting or on their own to introduce the importance of planning to minimize manual materials handling, safe lifting practices, and the effects of poor lifting practices. The two Lift Coach games reinforce these practices and take the player through an interactive walkthrough of a worksite and the components that lead to safer manual materials handling.

The Manual Materials Handling Contractor Planning Tool and the Lift Coach game series were developed by CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training in partnership with Simcoach, the developer.

CPWR is a nonprofit that serves as the research and training arm of NABTU and as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s National Construction Center. In this capacity, CPWR works to reduce or eliminate occupational safety and health hazards faced by construction workers through research and the development of a broad array of training programs and other resources.

To learn more about CPWR’s research and training programs visit www.cpwr.com.